WATER (part I)

The windows are wide open but the heat hangs heavy on them like a prickly blanket. She lifts her hair. Sweat trickles down her neck. When she unfolds her legs the skin at the back of her knees sticks damply together. He lies on the sofa, shirt undone.

"Let's go for a swim," she says.

He watches her struggle into her swimsuit. "What a body," he says. She goes "tss," and throws a towel at him, laughing.

Outside the light strikes at them. The pavement is hot, and they walk quickly, with bent heads, watching for the glint of broken glass. Much bare flesh on Marine Parade, pale limbs oiled and gleaming like sausages ready for the grill. A ripple of breeze caresses them. The tide is in, pushing gently at the seawall, still insistent but the sun has smoothed the sea into a half-sleep. There is a scatter of sails. Farther out a ferry glides silently on its way to the Continent.

They leave their towels on the wall and go down the slimy wooden steps. She dives in. She is shocked numb by the cold of the water. She splutters. Then her limbs obey her and she swims a few strokes. She turns, treads water for fear of stepping on something nasty. She spots his head, sleeked now and bobbing on the surface like a seal's. She strikes out towards him, slicing through the water, splashing, happy. He is standing up. She puts her arms round his neck and her legs round his waist. The swell moves her up and down against him, wet skin sliding on wet skin under water. He kisses her. She pushes herself off, floats on her back, making small scooping movements with her hands. A wave creeps up on her from behind and washes over her face. The sun scatters into a thousand diamond splinters. She turns over, coughing, laughing. She feels his hands on her waist.

When they finally come out their throats and eyes sting with salt and their skins are drawn up into goosebumps. She buries her face in the warm towel. She notices the hard bulge in his trunks. They run back to the flat, drop the towels, unpeel the swimming costumes. Traces of sand where the now clammy skin folds. They fall onto the bed. He licks her breast. "You taste salty," he says. "Mmmm." Between her legs she is warm and wet and he slips into her easily.

part II